Newry-based marine outfitters MJM Group has opened an office in Poland to safeguard its business growth after Brexit.

MJM, which has recorded "significant growth" in recent years, said the new office in Gdanski would operate as a design and administrative hub, supporting activities and projects at its headquarters in Newry.

Gary Annett, MJM Group chief executive, said: "MJM Group has a long and proud association with Poland. Many of our employees in Northern Ireland are originally from Poland and we have a very strong Polish supply chain.

"We are delighted to open an office here in Pruszcz Gdanski and cement our relationship with Poland.

"MJM Group has recorded significant growth over recent years which has seen our workforce and our global reach strengthen."

Pre-tax profits at the MJM Group, which is owned by the McConville family, were up by around 5% to £7.8m in its most recent accounts. It now employs around 200 people.

Mr Annett said: "Opening a branch in Poland is part of our global expansion plans and a reflection of our commitment to attracting a talented pool of people and a robust supply chain from Poland and other EU countries.

"As the UK continues to navigate its way through the Brexit negotiations, it is prudent for MJM Group to expand our global reach to ensure we have the resources to continue to grow as a leader in the global marine outfitting market."

At the office launch, Mr Annett was accompanied by the Mayor of Pruszcz Gdanski, Janusz Wróbel. He said: "We are pleased that MJM Group, a company which has been linked to the Pomeranian region for more than 10 years through its support of our local supply chain, has now decided to establish a permanent office in our city.

"Pruszcz Gdanski, which is within the Baltic Investment Zone, has become one of the most important locations for foreign investments in the region thanks to our infrastructure - we are at the intersection of the A1 motorway and close to an international airport which makes us a very attractive location for leading global companies to invest.

"We wish MJM Group every success here in Poland and in their global operations."

MJM Group has refitted some of the world's largest cruise ships. In 2018, it completed its first ever contract in China and currently has a "strong pipeline of projects for 2019 and beyond".

Earlier this year it carried out a revamp of the luxury Azamara Pursuit in Belfast. It also acquired Toomebridge firm Topglass.